THE EXTERMINATION OF THE AMERICAN BISON. 529 



wild herds found in Great Britain, nine have become totally extinct 

 through in-breeding. 



The five herds remaining are those at Somerford Park, Blickling Hall, 

 Woodbastwick, Chartley, and Chillingham. 



PART III.— THE SMITHSONIAN EXPEDITION FOR MUSEUM SPECI- 

 MENS. 



I. The Exploration. 



During the first three months of the year 1886 it was ascertained by 

 the writer, then chief taxidermist of the National Museum, that the ex- 

 termiuation of the American bison had made most alarming progress. 

 By extensive correspondence it was learned that the destruction of all 

 the large herds, both North and South, was already an accomplished 

 fact. While it was generally supposed that at least a few thousand indi- 

 viduals still inhabited the more remote and inaccessible regions of what 

 once constituted the great northern buffalo range, it was found that the 

 actual number remaining in the whole United States was probably less 

 than three hundred. 



By some authorities who were consulted it was considered an impos- 

 sibility to procure a large series of specimens anywhere in this country, 

 while others asserted positively that there were no wild buffaloes south 

 of the British possessions save those in the Yellowstone National Park. 

 Canadian authorities asserted with equal positiveness that none re- 

 mained in their territory. 



A careful inventory of the specimens in the collection of the National 

 Museum revealed the fact that, with the exception of one mounted fe- 

 male skin, another unmounted, and one mounted skeleton of a male 

 buffalo, the Museum was actually without presentable specimens of this 

 most important and interesting mammal. 



Besides those mentioned above, the collection contained only two old, 

 badly mounted, and dilapidated skins, (one of which had been taken in 

 summer, and therefore was not representative), an incomplete skeleton, 

 some fragmentary skulls of no value, and two mounted heads. Thus it 

 appeared that the Museum was unable to show a series of specimens, 

 good or bad, or even one presentable male of good size. 



In view of this alarming state of affairs, coupled with the already de- 

 clared extinction of Bison americanus, the Secretary of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, Prof. Spencer F. Baird, determined to send a party into the 

 field at once to find wild buffalo, if any were still living, and in case 

 any were found to collect a number of specimens. Since it seemed 

 highly uncertain whether any other institution, or any private individual, 

 would have the opportunity to collect a large supply of specimens be- 

 fore it became too late, it was decided by the Secretary that the Smith- 

 sonian Institution should undertake the task of providing for the future 

 as liberally as possible. For the benefit of the smaller scientific mu- 

 H. Mis. 600, pt. 2 34 



